Media Release

100% of experts in the finder.com.au RBA survey tipped the cash rate would hold at 1.5% today

One quarter of experts predict a rate fall in November 2016

Slow rental market could see housing become less attractive for investors

4 October, 2016, Sydney, Australia – Market experts and economists widely predicted the outcome of today’s (Tuesday 4 October) board meeting — to pause the cash rate at 1.5% — but investors may lose out if slow rental market growth continues, according to a new survey by finder.com.au, Australia’s most visited comparison website.

While all 33 experts and economists from the monthly finder.com.au RBA Survey accurately predicted the cash rate would hold for October 2016, further rate changes will likely be enforced in the coming months.

One third of experts (11) believe the cash rate will plummet before the year closes out, while 24% (8) are forecasting a rate cut in November. Nine percent of experts and economists think the cash rate will fall in December this year.

A further thirteen economists (39%) are predicting a fall within the first six months of 2017, while five (15%) are tipping a fall later in the new year. Just nine experts are forecasting a rate rise beyond October 2017.

The vast majority (69%) of experts believe the cash rate won’t fall lower than 1.25% this cycle, while seven (24%) are expecting it to bottom-out at 1%.

When asked whether home loan providers should start offering competitive, longer term fixed rate mortgages —similar to the 10 and 20-year fixed rate products seen in the United States —over a quarter (27%, 7) said lenders should provide longer fixed-term products, with the experts favouring 10 year home loans.

Graham Cooke, Insights Manager at finder.com.au says many home loan customers value the certainty and security of fixed rate home loans.

“The ability to lock in a competitive fixed rate for a specified term provides borrowers with the peace of mind in knowing that their repayments will remain unchanged for the duration of the term so they’re protected from interest rate rises,” he says.

One expert from the finder.com.au RBA Survey —Shane Oliver of AMP —said Australian borrowers have been reluctant to take on short-term fixed rate mortgages in the past.

“Generally speaking, Australians have been a bit wary of fixed rates even over 3 or 5 years so I suspect there may not be a lot of demand for fixed rate 10 or 20-year mortgages,” he said.

Additionally, experts offered insight about whether the flat rental market could influence housing prices in Australia, and the implications this may have for investors. Over half (52%, 14) of experts believe slow rental market growth could affect housing prices, with many citing falling rental yields as making housing less viable for investors.

Just five (19%) experts believe the housing market won’t be affected by slow growth in the rental market, while the remainder of respondents were indifferent.

“An increase in housing supply has kept rents down across the country’s capital cities. This could see the housing market become less attractive for investors, but the government’s continued policy of negative gearing could potentially ease this effect by reducing investor risk,” Mr Cooke says.

Here’s what our experts had to say:

Jordan Eliseo, ABC Bullion, Chief Economist (Hold) : "We don't think the changing of the guard at the RBA alters in anyway the future path of monetary policy, but the board will be happy to sit tight for now, and monitor incoming data before making a cut in either late 2016 or Q1 2017."

Shane Oliver, AMP Capital, Head of Investment Strategy and Chief Economist (Hold): "Not enough has changed since the last rate cut in August and the RBA is likely waiting until the September quarter CPI release prior to the November meeting before deciding to move again."

Garry Shilson-Josling, Australian Associated Press, Chief Economist (Hold): "For the RBA, it's a matter of 'so far, so good'. And there [is] obviously increasing scepticism at the RBA of the effectiveness of further cuts: if there's a problem, it's not that interest rates are too high."

Darryl Gobbett, Baillieu Holst Ltd, Chief Economist (Hold): "Easing trend still in place with inflation expected to go lower and $A higher than desired but cuts to come in a considered fashion."

Savanth Sebastian, CommSec Economist (Hold): "RBA comfortable on the sidelines. Waiting on further data to see how the economy is tracking and also next round of inflation data."

Dr Andrew Wilson, Domain Group, Chief Economist (Hold): "Wait and see impact following recent cuts – also awaiting September quarter inflation data out next month. Will be also alert to recent sharp house price increases in Sydney and Melbourne."

Scott Morgan, Greater Bank, CEO (Hold): "Recent RBA commentary suggests that rates will remain low but not necessarily go lower. There is no new data to warrant a further rate cut."

Mark Brimble, Griffith University, Professor - Finance (Hold): "Bias remains to rate reduction, however the new RBA board will likely want to hold for a few months given the raft of factors in play at the moment."

Peter Haller, Heritage Bank, Treasurer (Hold): "The RBA will wait to see how the May and August rate cuts will impact on inflation before it considers moving the cash rate again."

Shane Garrett, Housing Industry Association, Senior Economist (Hold) : "Economic growth is moving in the right direction. The RBA will wait and see how August's rate cut works before another is made."

Robert Montgomery, Infrastructure Partnerships Australia, Chief Economist & Head of Policy (Hold): "The RBA will hold rates at 1.5% and wait for further signs of change before cutting rates again. The effectiveness of monetary policy to stimulate inflation and broader economic activity is diminishing, so we won't see a rate cut in October, rather we will see growing consensus that the way forward is through fiscal policy measures, such as investment in public infrastructure."

Michael Witts, ING Bank Treasurer (Hold) : "No significant further information [has been] released to allow the [RBA] to consider a change in the cash rate."

Leanne Pilkington, Laing+Simmons, Managing Director (Hold) : “In the past week alone there’s been reports that the housing market is cooling, and another ranking Sydney among the most at risk globally in terms of a housing bubble. The reality is much less dramatic and we believe leaving interest rates unchanged is the most appropriate course.”

Lynne Jordan, Liberty, General Manager - Risk (Hold) : "As the RBA holds the official cash rate again this month the public should turn to the government and ask what other form of stimulation can kick start the economy. Whether that is investment in infrastructure, the public sector or incentives for the private sector – the economy needs something more than another rate cut to pick up. Despite the fact that unemployment is at a three year low, and commodity prices are still showing signs of improving, another rate cut will still happen – likely at the start of 2017. "

Emily Dabbs, Moody's Analytics, Economist (Hold) : "The central bank will likely wait to see how inflation responded to monetary easing earlier in the year before making any decision to ease further."

Christopher Schade, MyState Bank, Economist (Hold) : "The most likely scenario seems to be one where the RBA remains on hold for at least the remainder of 2016 as it waits for further information around domestic and global developments. The domestic economy is performing in line with expectations, and an anticipated US rate hike in December should help take some heat out of the Australian Dollar. There does not appear to be a compelling reason for further monetary easing at this point."

Saul Eslake, Economist (Hold) : "RBA is still evaluating the impact of last two rate cuts in May and August."

Alan Oster, NAB Chief Economist (Hold) : "RBA still looking at the results of recent changes to rates. [The] focus is on low inflation not growth."

Jonathan Chancellor, Property Observer, Editor (Hold) : "There's no prospect the new RBA Governor would make any move at his first meeting in the role."

Matthew Peter, QIC, Chief Economist (Hold) : "With markets taking the US Fed and Bank of Japan decisions in their stride, the RBA will now remain on hold for the rest of 2016. In the new year, it must weigh up developments in domestic inflation and the exchange in its decision to stay on hold or whether to cut again by 25bps."

Noel Whittaker, QUT, Adjunct Professor (Hold) : "The incoming Governor has just stated that dropping rates anymore may be pointless."

Christine Williams, Smarter Property Investing, Founder (Hold) : "The retail sector has had a boost in spending and the unemployment rate has had a slight reduction."

Janu Chan, St George Bank, Senior Economist (Hold) : "The RBA has just lowered the cash rate in May and August, and will take a bit more time before moving again. Recent commentary is also suggesting that the RBA is not in a hurry to move rates and it would be likely to wait until key CPI data released in late October."

Brian Parker, Sunsuper, Chief Economist (Hold) : "No new news on inflation or wages since last rate cut, and RBA has signalled it's happy with the cash rate where it is."

Nicki Hutley, Urbis, Director and Chief Economist (Hold) : "The economy is growing at around trend. While inflation is lower than optimal, it is still consistent with a target band of 2% to 3% ‘over time’.”

Other participants:

Bill Evans, Chief Economist, Westpac (Hold).

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The information in this release is accurate as of the date published, but rates, fees and other product features may have changed. Please see updated product information on finder.com.au's review pages for the current correct values.

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